Joining the Coast Guard was the best decision I ever made. My father was an Italian immigrant. Neither he nor my Italian-American mother had schooling beyond the eighth grade, but they made certain that their children were proud Americans.

When I graduated from high school in 1952, my immediate goals were to serve my country, earn a living, and see the world. Service in the U.S. Coast Guard exceeded my expectations. I was taught discipline, lifesaving techniques and electricity, and I excelled in the latter to the extent that I became an instructor and rose to the rank of Electrician Mate 1st Class in three years. Where else would an inexperienced 17-year-old have such opportunities?

By the end of my four-year enlistment, having gained skills and confidence, I knew that I wanted more education. As a Korean War veteran, I was eligible for the G.I. Bill, which helped me earn a bachelor's and then a master's degree in industrial education. Still wanting to see the world and serve my country, I applied to teach in Department of Defense schools on military bases overseas.

I eventually earned a doctorate in education and progressed from teacher to curriculum coordinator to director of education to deputy director of the 45 schools in the Mediterranean Region — all because of my decision to join the Coast Guard.

I am now 83 years old, retired and working part-time for the Orlando Magic.